Patient transfer locking device



Nov. 15, 1960 Filed Aug. 27, 1956 E. HAUGARD 2,959,792 7 PATIENT TRANSFER LOCKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Aawwea N V- 15, 19 E. HAUGARD 2,959,792

PATIENT TRANSFER LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY PATIENT TRANSFER LOCKING DEVICE Emil Haugard, '529 E. Sibley, Howell, Mich.

Filed Aug. 27, 1956, Ser. No. 606,513

4 Claims. (Cl. 5-92) This invention relates to a bed patient transfer locking device for safely transferring a bed patient with a minimum of effort and personnel, and more particularly to a grappling device provided below a wheel stretcher for securely coupling an adjacent hospital bed or operating table thereto.

Many types of labor saving devices have been designed to help relieve the need for additional nurses and attendants in our already understaffed hospitals. However, in designing these devices it must be remembered that the safety and comfort of the patient must not be sacrificed, but must, if possible, be maintained or increased. A particularly dangerous and time-consuming occurrence in hospitals and convalescent homes is the transfer of a bed patient to or from one hospital wheel stretcher or bed to another. In the normal transfer process, several persons are necessary to hold the wheel stretcher and bed or operating table in a secure and stable side-to-side relationship while the patient is being transferred. This process is further complicated by the fact that both structures are normally on casters, and hence, can move relative to each other. A slight degree of carelessness or an attempt to transfer a patient without assistance can result in injury to a patient by dropping him between the wheel stretcher or bed or operating table. This occurs because the bed surfaces inadvertently move apart during the transfer process. In heavy patients the problem is greatly emphasized.

Various methods have been used to facilitate this transfer process, such as bulky, complicated mechanical transfer devices or simple clamps attached to the legs of the stretchers or beds. The bulky mechanical transfer devices are impractical for every day use throughout the hospital and the clamps fail to take into account the varying lengths of the wheel stretchers, operating tables, and beds that are in use in hospitals and convalescent homes. Wheel locks have also been used but are ineffective to prevent relative movement, particularly on the highly polished floors of our hospitals. The existing devices have also failed to provide for positive coupling between Wheel stretchers, beds, and operating tables of varying heights. The ultimate goal has been a grappling device that is easily installed on existing wheel stretchers and beds and is easily operated by one person to insure a secure coupling to an adjacent wheel stretcher, operating table, or bed.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a grappling device in association with a hospital wheel stretcher or bed that will enable one person to safely transfer a bed patient to or from an adjacent wheel stretcher, bed or operating table.

A further object of this invention is to provide a grappling device for easily and securely coupling hospital wheel stretchers, beds, or operating tables in a stable side-by-side relationship.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a grappling device which can be easily installed on existing wheel stretchers and beds in hospitals and convalescent homes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a grappling device that can securely couple a bed or operating table from either side of the wheel stretcher on which it is mounted.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a grappling device that can securely couple the wheel stretcher or bed on which it is mounted to wheel stretchers, beds of operating tables of varying heights.

An additional object is to provide an easily installed grappling device that can securely engage the side rail of an adjacent wheel stretcher, bed, or operating table.

Another object is to provide a simple trouble-free structure capable of high production and economical maintenance.

Other objects and advantages found in the construction of my invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components of the unique patient transfer locking device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the spaced-apart hook attachment which is the preferred embodiment of a hook arrangement that is attached to the elongate coupling arm.

Figure 3 'is a fragmentary perspective view of the elongate coupling arm having a single book integrated there with.

Figure 4 isa perspective view illustrating the grappling device of Figure 2 in its fully assembled embodiment.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top view'of the universal connection illustrating the coupling arm in its grappling position and then, by phantom lines, showing the pivoted storage position of the device.

Figure 6 is an end view showing a wheel stretcher and an adjacent hospital bed in phantom lines. The grap pling device is shown mounted beneath the wheel stretcher and the coupling arm and hook are engaging the side rail of the adjacent bed.

Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of the grappling device showing the universal connection, sleeve provided with a ratchet assembly, and the coupling arm and hook attachment in its grappling position. Phantom lines illustrate the operation of the grappling device and the relative locking positions created by the locking action of the spring pawl engaging the ratchet portion of the sleeve.

General description In general a grappling unit is provided beneath a bed surface. The grappling unit is adjustable for length and through use of a ratchet and pawl can be secured in tension to the side rail of any adjacent bed structure. The grappling unit is universally mounted beneath the bed surface for easy manual coupling, requiring the use of only one person to safely transfer a bed patient.

An adjustable cross-plate assembly having a central portion below its outer edges is provided for installation below a hospital wheel stretcher or bed. Adjustable side rail clamps are provided on the outer edge of the crossplate assembly. These clamps may be tightened on the. side rails of a wheel stretcher or bed thereby securing the cross-plate assembly below the wheel stretcher or bed.

A universal connection is provided on and extends down-. wardly from the cross-plate assembly. A ratchet assem: bly is provided at the universal connection and contains an elongated coupling arm in slidable relationship with the ratchet assembly. A handle is provided at one end of the coupling arm. The coupling arm can therefore be rotated 360 degrees about a vertical axis and can also Patented Nov. 15, 1960- be pivoted upwardly or downwardly. It can easily be seen that the coupling arm can easily grapple an adjoining wheel stretcher, bed or operating table from either side of the wheel stretcher on which the grappling device is mounted; In addition, due to the positioning of the universal connection below the level of the side rails, there is sufiicient clearance so that the coupling arm and hook can engage beds or operating tables that are higher or lower than the level of the wheel stretcher on which the grappling device is mounted. A spring loaded pawl is attached to the handle and engages the ratchet assembly. A rail hook or a twin spaced-apart hook attachment is provided at the other end of the coupling arm. The hookmeans grapples onto the side rail of anadjacent bed or wheel stretcher structure.

Specific description The grappling device 34 is shown in Figure 6 in its normal mounted position beneath a hospital wheel stretcher 30. The grappling hook 21 of the grappling device 34 is shown engaging the side rail 33 of an adjacent conven tional hospital bed 31.

As shown assembled in Figure 4, the grappling device 34 consists of an adjustable cross bar assembly 35, a universal connection 16, coupling assembly 36 and locking assembly 37. These components are preferably constructed of aluminum, however steel, sheet metal, alloys, or structural plastics may be used.

Side rail clamp plates 14 are provided for clamping on side rails 32 that are used on conventional hospital beds or wheel stretchers. The clamp plates 14 are approximately tour inches wide and six inches long. One end of each clamp plate is curved upwardly in order to matingly engage a side rail. A pair of connecting wing plates 13 are provided, each being bent to form flats 13a and wings 13b. Each connecting plate 13 is approximately four inches wide and twelve inches long and is provided with adjusting slots 29 in the flat 13a. The wings 13b of the connecting plates 13 are removably secured to the side rail clamps 14. The ends of the connecting plates 13 on which the side clamps 14 are mounted are curved so as to provide positive holding when attached to a side rail. This curvilinear relationship of clamp plates 14 and connecting plates 13 is best shown in Figures 4 and 6. A center plate 15 is provided having adjusting slots 28 at each end and having a centrally located hole therethrough. In the preferred embodiment the center plate 15 is generally rectangular in form. The center plate 15 is approximately four inches wide and twelve inches long. The center plate 15 is adjustably attached to the flats 13a of the connecting plates 13 in a flush relationship. The center plate 15, thus connected, is in a horizontal position substantially below the side rails 32 as shown in Figure 6. The universal connection 16 can swivel 360 degrees on a vertical axis established by the upstanding spindle 16a, beneath the bed or wheel stretcher on which it is mounted. This swivel action is shown in part by Figure 5. The universal connection 16 has a forked portion 17 extending downwardly therefrom in the manner of a clevis. In a specific embodiment three inches has been found an adequate length for the arm extensions. The top face of the universal connection 16 is provided with detents 16b that provide station positioning. A spring plate 11 and washer plate 12 are provided to secure the universal connection 16 to the center plate 15. A sleeve 18 having a ratchet portion 19 is pivotally mounted in the forked portion 17 of the universal connection 16. The sleeve 18 is preferably a channel shaped member as shown in Figure 1. An elongated coupling arm 23 is mounted within and in slidable relationship to the sleeve 18. Although not illustrated, the coupling arm 23 may be spring loaded in the sleeve 18 so as to retain the arm 23 in a normally retracted position. In a specific embodiment the coupling arm was approximately36 inches long with no indication that this was a critical length. It will be seen best by Figure 1 that the channel shaped sleeve 18 provides a track for travel of the arm 23. A handle 24 is integrally provided at one end of the coupling arm 23. The handle 24 in the preferred embodiment is of the pistol grip type. A coupling arm slot 27 is provided in the coupling arm 23 proximate to and forward of the handle 24. A pin 20 passes through the coupling arm slot 27 and holes provided in the sleeve 18 and the forked portion 17 of the universal connection 16, thus mounting the coupling arm 23 in slidable relationship within the sleeve 18 and universal connection 16. Thus joined, the coupling arm 23 and book 21, as shown in Figure 7, can be pivoted up or down as desired on the axis established by the pin 20. A spring loaded pawl 26 is attached to the handle 24 and engages the ratchet portion 19. The spring loading of the pawl 26 is accomplished by use of the spring 25. As shown in Figure l a hook attachment 21 is attached to the coupling arm 23. The hook attachment 21 is shown in Figure 2 in its preferred embodiment as a pair of spaced-apart hooks. A single hook 22 integral with the coupling arm 23 to form a coupler as shown in Figure 3 may be employed. When mounted, as shown in Figure 6, the grappling device 34 positions the universal connection 16 substantially below the side rails 32 of the wheel stretcher 30. This allows the coupling arm 23 sufiicient vertical clearance with respect to the side rails of the wheel stretcher or bed on which the grappling device 34 is mounted. In this manner, the hook 21 can be used to couple adjacent beds, wheel stretchers, or operating tables of various heights. In practice, it has proved beneficial in many instances to coat the hook 21 with rubber or plastic material to pre-- vent damage to side rails and to further insure quiet and efficient operation.

Although the cross bar assembly has been described as having several components for adjustability, it may be comprised of a single unitary element. In addition, it will be appreciated that the length adjustment feature of the grappling arm may be accomplished by other mechanical expedients, however the described embodiment utlizing the ratchet and pawl in association with the handle assembly has proved most satisfactory and is quick acting.

Operation In operation, the grappling device is mounted beneath a hospital wheel stretcher or a hospital bed as desired. The cross-bar assembly 35 is adjusted to the width of the wheel stretcher 30 or bed 31 and the rail-clamps 14 are attached and tightened on the side rails of the wheel stretcher or hospital bed. For purposes of illustration, we shall assume that the grappling device has been mounted below a hospital wheel stretcher 30 as shown in Figure 6. However, it must be understood that this grappling device 34 can be mounted on a hospital bed 31.

When not in use the grapple and its assembly is pivoted on the universal connection so that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hospital wheel stretcher as shown in the phantom lines in Figure 5. In this position the grappling device is out of the way while the hospital wheel stretcher is in normal use.

When it becomes necessary to transfer a patient to or from the Wheel stretcher, the wheel stretcher is wheeled to a side-to-side position with a hospital bed or operating.

table. The nurse or attendant reaches under the wheel stretcher and grasps the handle of the grappling arm. The grappling arm is then swiveled until it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wheel stretcher. The spring loaded pawl is released from the ratchet assembly allowing the grappling arm to be moved. The grappling arm is moved outwardly until the grappling hook is beneath and beyond the proximate side rail of the adjacent hospital bed. The grappling hook is then moved to securely engage the side rail of the adjacent hospital bed. Tension is applied by pulling on the handle to insure a secure coupling and the spring loaded pawl is released to engage the ratchet assembly thereby locking the grappling hook against the side rail of the adjacent bed. The preferred embodiment of the grappling hook utilizing two spaced-apart hooks, as shown in Figure 2, provides a positive grappling action that avoids lateral relative movement of the coupled structures that might occur if a single hook were used. In this manner the wheel stretcher and adjacent hospital bed or operating table are se curely coupled against relative movement. It will be readily appreciated that the described hook may be modified in form to provide a grapple means for grasping any specific surface.

After the patient has been transferred, the spring loaded pawl is released and the grappling arm is pushed outwardly thereby disengaging the grappling hook from the side rail. The grappling arm and hook is then retracted to its rest position. The arm may be spring loaded so that it will return automatically to its retracted position. The grappling arm is then swiveled to its storage position as determined by the detents of the universal connection and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wheel stretcher. Due to the fact that the grappling arm is mounted on a universal-type connection and thus can be swiveled 360 degrees, the wheel stretcher can be securely coupled to either side of any conventional hospital bed. Furthermore, the downwardly disposed center portion of the cross-plate, combined with the grappling arm mounted in the forked portion of the universal connection, provide additional clearance whereby the side rail of a higher or lower adjacent hospital bed can be easily and securely grappled. This great degree of versatility provides a great amount of utility in the use of the present invention.

Thus I have a unique patient transfer locking device for wheel stretchers and hospital beds wherein a grappling hook having an elongated extension is contained in slidable relationship within a sleeve which is attached to a universal connection provided beneath a wheel stretcher in such a manner that the grappling hook can be raised, lowered, and pivoted to obtain a secure coupling with an adjacent hospital bed.

Various modifications of this invention may be made without departing from the principle thereof. Each of these modifications is to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly provide otherwise.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim the following:

1. A grappling mechanism for securely coupling a hospital wheel stretcher and a hospital bed in a side-toside fixed position comprising: a cross-bar assembly mountable beneath a wheel stretcher or bed; a connection pivotally provided on and extending downwardly from said cross bar assembly; an elongated ratchet assembly pivotally connected to said connection; an elongated coupler arm having a hook at one end thereof for engaging an adjacent bed provided in slidable relationship within said ratchet assembly and pivotally connected to said connection; a handle provided at one end of said coupler arm opposite said hook; and a spring loaded pawl-like means provided on said handle for engaging said ratchet assembly and locking the coupler arm to said ratchet assembly in selected positions whereby ten- 6 sion in said coupler arm retains the bed and wheel stretcher in locked side-to-side relationship.

2. A grappling mechanism for securely coupling bedlike structures in a side-to-side fixed position comprising: a cross-bar assembly; rail-clamping means for attaching said cross-bar assemblybeneath said bed-like structures; a connection pivotally provided on and extending downwardly from said cross bar assembly; an elongated ratchet assembly pivotally connected to said connection; an elongated coupling arm provided in slidable relationship within said ratchet assembly; a handle provided integral with said coupling arm; a hooking attachment attached to said coupling arm; and a pawl-like means provided on said handle for engaging said ratchet assembly.

3. A grappling mechanism for use beneath bed-like structures comprising: a cross-bar assembly having a depending center section; rail-clamping means provided on the ends of said cross-bar assembly; a connector hav-- ing a downwardly depending forked portion pivotally provided on said center section of said cross-bar assembly; an elongated ratchet assembly pivotally connected to said forked portion; an elongated coupling arm slidably provided within and extending substantially beyond said ratchet assembly; a pistol-type handle integrally provided on said coupling arm; a rail hooking attachment provided on said coupling arm opposite said handle; and spring-loaded pawl-like means associated with said handle for selectively engaging said ratchet assembly so as to draw said hooking attachment into locking engagement with an adjoining bed structure.

4. A device for securely coupling bed-like structures in a side-to-side position comprising: a cross-bar assembly mountable beneath a wheel stretcher or bed; a connection pivotally provided on and extending downwardly from said cross-bar assembly; a coupler arm having a hook at one end thereof pivotally connected to said connection; means intermediate said connection and said coupler arm permitting the selective extension of said coupler arm to lockably engage an adjacent bed structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 692,140 Hutchison Jan. 28, 1902 1,035,934 Young Aug. 20, 1912 1,381,042 Weaver June 7, 1921 1,487,171 LaVigne Mar. 18, 1924 1,566,089 Hardin-g Dec. 15, 1925 1,590,550 Rece June 29, 1926 1,654,939 Loebs Jan. 3, 1928 1,859,480 Van Deest May M, 1932 2,374,488 Knox Apr. 24, 1945 2,528,048 Gilleland Oct. 31, 1950 2,529,517 Schofield Nov. 14, 1950 2,558,056 Mitchell June 26, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 90,063 Germany Jan. 5, 1897 7,617 Great Britain of 1899 461,675 Germany June 26, 1928 312,340 Italy Nov. 8, 1933 

